AGRICULTURAL SUMMARY:
The month of February brought a few cold and snowy days,
but was predominantly a mild month for much of the state,
according to USDA's South Dakota Agricultural Statistics Service.
With minimal snowfall received again this month, many producers
worry that the lack of snow cover on winter wheat, as well as
the unseasonably warm temperatures, may cause serious problems
if temperatures turn colder. Having little snow to contend with,
farmers and ranchers have kept busy with routine chores, hauling
and marketing grain, tending to livestock, calving and lambing,
and repairing machinery
This report is based on information from county
extension educators, farm service agency county
directors, and other reporters across the state.

WEATHER INFORMATION:
February temperatures ranged from 5 to 11 degrees above normal
for the state. The average temperature for the state was 30
degrees. Dupree reported the low for the month, at -9 degrees.
The high for the month was 74 degrees, reported in both Newell
and Winner. Precipitation totals varied throughout the state,
with totals ranging from 0.09 inch received in Philip, Oelrichs,
and Long Valley, to 1.12 inches received in Sioux Falls. As of
March 6, the average snow depth for the state was 0.20 inch.
Both county and township roads were 100 percent open at month's end.

FIELD CROPS REPORT:
The lack of snow cover on winter wheat and alfalfa continues
to remain an issue for many producers across the state. Many
producers are concerned about the effects of mild February
temperatures and minimal precipitation on winter crops, as well
as problems that may arise for crops this spring due to low
soil moisture levels. The winter wheat crop is rated at 10
percent poor, 36 percent fair, 42 percent good, and 12 percent
excellent, with snow cover for winter wheat rated at 100 percent
poor. Alfalfa snow cover is rated at 95 percent poor and 5
percent adequate.

LIVESTOCK, PASTURE, AND RANGE REPORT:
Another month with little snowfall has helped to prolong feed
supplies in several areas. Feed supplies were rated at 74
percent adequate to surplus for the month of February. Stock
water supplies have fallen slightly to 61 percent adequate,
with no surplus, compared to the previous month's 63 percent
adequate to surplus. With minimal snow cover, feed supplies
and stock water supplies were rated at 96 percent and 90
percent readily available, respectively. February's cattle
condition, rated at 85 percent good to excellent, is slightly
higher than January's 82 percent good to excellent. Cattle
death losses for February were rated at 41 percent below normal,
57 percent normal, and 2 percent above normal. February's
sheep condition also showed a slight improvement over January,
with 79 percent rated good to excellent. Calving and lambing
are off to a good start for the state, with calving 11 percent
complete and lambing 26 percent complete. Deaths in February
for calves and lambs remained low, with calf deaths rated 96
percent at or below average and lamb deaths rated at 97 percent
at or below average.